On Tuesday December 6, I was informed that I have Stage IV lung cancer. The tumors are adenocarcinoma non-small cell. The gene test came back EGFR-positive. (A type not caused by smoking.) Consequently, instead of intravenous chemo, I take a pill once a day, the drug Erlotinib (Tarceva). It has much less serious side effects than intravenous chemo.

I plan to continue working as much as possible. (I already have a host of speaking engagements lined up for February, March, and May.) I also plan to remain as active as possible. (I have walked at least 2 miles a day since leaving the hospital.) And I intend to spend Passover in Israel again.

I want to thank those of you who sent their well-wishes and prayers. It means a lot to me. I need to thank my friends Sheilah Kaufman, Miriam Rubin, Shelley Frier List, and others for all their efforts on my behalf. In particular, I would like to thank the office of my congressman Jerrold Nadler, and especially Ellen Wallach, for helping me with a complication with insurance and an uncaring and unresponsive bureaucracy. Their assistance and reassurance was most welcomed at this problematic time, and restored my faith in government.

Gil Marks